MODERN MASANDS

Gurdwara Imli Sahib, Indore

INDORE, MADHYA PARDES (KP) - Sikh residents from the central Indian state of Madhya Pardes (MP) sent a memorandum to Sri Akal Takht Sahib regarding the direct interference by non-Sikhs, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the management of various historic Sikh shrines associated with Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji in MP’s largest city of Indore.

The memorandum raised concerns by the Sangat that non-Sikhs and non-keshadhari Punjabis were being recruited to vote in the upcoming elections of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Indore which manages the local historical Sikh Gurdwara Sahibs.

Media Coverage of Indore Singh Sabha Politics

Over the past few years various non-Sikh rituals have been practiced on the Gurdwara premises in efforts to win over the ruling BJP, RSS, Congress (I) politicians who have inter-twined business relations with individuals involved in the management of these historic sites.

According to the memorandum, current management of Sri Singh Sabha Indore, including president - Gurdeep Singh Bhatia, vice president - Amarjit Singh Bagga, general secretary - Jasbir Singh Gandhi, and spokesperson - Raghubir Singh Khanuja, have been unilaterally controlling this institution since 2005 and are unwilling to relinquish their power of these sacred Sikh shrines.

Gurdwara Baoli Sahib, Betma, Indore

The renowned Gurdwara Imli Sahib, Gurdwara Baoli Sahib, Gurdwara Onkareshwar Sahib and several other Gurdwara Sahibs that were constructed on the sacred sites where Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji had stayed during his travels through Indore are now managed by the Sri Guru Singh Sabha of Indore.

According to the 70 year old constitution of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha, only “Sabat Surat Sikhs” living within Indore Municipality can be eligible voter or an applicant for the Singh Sabha elections. Additionally anyone chosen to server on Sri Guru Singh Sabha must be an Amritdhari (baptised) Sikh.

According to the memorandum even the appointed election commissioner, Paramjit Chhabrra is not a “Sabat Surat Sikh” as he trims his beard and is a patit (apostate). Furthermore, Sindhis and non-Sikh Punjabis are being recruited as voters by the current management that would guarantee the monopoly of managing these Gurdwara Sahibs for the long term.

The memorandum requests that Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s involvement so anti-Panthic elements do not interfere in internal Sikh affairs and that new management sevadars are chosen according to Sri Guru Singh Sabha constitutions and Sikh norms.

Although elections in Gurdwara management are contrary to Gurmat traditions, yet most central Sikh institutions, such the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Sri Guru Singh Sabhas, and Khalsa Diwans have now become a battle ground where corrupt politicians and wealthy individuals routinely fight for the control of the free flow of money and power and often turning a blind eye to the Sikh principles these institutions were based upon.

Sadly, similar issues are also occurring with the management of Gurdwaras in western countries.

That Panthic.org reserves the right to publish the above submission online, or in the letters to the editor section. Comments may be edited for readability.

Note: Submissions will be rejected if the content is : * NOT related to the article being referenced.
* Racist, abusive or otherwise objectionable.
* Contains profanity or other language likely to offend.
* Being repeatedly posted (known as "spam").

An in-depth analysis by Sardar Gurdarshan Singh Khalsa on the isolated Sikligar Sikh community, their unique background dating back to Guru Sahiban's period, and the current struggles they face across Hindu dominated India.
...

Representatives of Sikh organizations across North America and Europe strongly condemned the blasphemous acts committed by the followers of excommunicated heretic Ragi Darshan Sinh at the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat of Virginia who altered the sacred 'Khanday-ki-Pahul' ceremony and Ardaas. ...

At least two Sikhs were were killed and scores injured on Wednesday in bloody clashes between Sikhs protesting against the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and police near Kotkapura town in Punjab’s Faridkot district....